The night brought movement to the Les Albaranes arena: the Diana the turtle's third nest He opened his window to the Mediterranean and revealed dozens of tiny silhouettes. With the tide in the background and under close surveillance, the first hatchlings emerged and made their way to the shore with a determined step.
Monitoring teams confirmed that From 77 eggs, 62 baby turtles have been born., a remarkable result that adds to the efforts of months of preventive work on the coast of Dénia. The discreet and well-coordinated scene once again put the spotlight on a location that has become a reference for the recovery of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in the Marina Alta.
Hatching and key data in Les Albaranes
The nest, located in the Les Albaranes beach, had been demarcated and protected since its discovery, with surveillance shifts that intensified in the days leading up to the hatching. As evening fell and temperatures reached the right temperature, the process leading to the gradual emergence of the hatchlings began.
According to the updated count, 62 newborns reached the surface and set off for the sea, while technicians recorded times, exit rhythms and environmental conditions to inform conservation protocols. The hatching rate is considered very high for a nest on an open beach, reinforcing the effectiveness of the measures applied on the Dianense coast and reflecting the trend observed in the loggerhead turtle nesting and releases on the Spanish coast.
This third reproductive success of the season consolidates the positive trend of Diana in the area, where they have already been recorded three controlled hatchings so far this summer, and they are added New loggerhead turtle eggs laid on the beaches of Elche and DeniaA fourth nest remains to be hatched in the coming weeks, a stage that is being approached with caution and the same protective measures.
The operation, coordinated between specialized personnel and the volunteering at the surveillance camp, managed access, reduced light pollution, and ensured a natural corridor to the water. Citizen collaboration, especially at night, has been key to avoiding disruptions during this most sensitive time.
In addition to the immediate biological value, this hatching confirms Les Albaranes as strategic point for conservation of the species in the Valencian Community, with accumulated learning that is transferred to future campaigns and other beaches with nesting potential.
Volunteering, science and sustained surveillance
The work model combines presence on the ground and scientific advice: the area is delimited, basic parameters are monitored and a protocol is activated. risk minimization by the time of release. This methodology, refined through experience, increases the chances of success without altering the natural behavior of the offspring.
The influx of residents and visitors was managed calmly, maintaining distances and without the use of flashes, an essential rule for do not disorient the turtlesAmong the audience, many children followed the process with restrained surprise, an image that ultimately fosters environmental education and respect for the environment.
This year, citizen participation has once again been notable in Dénia, from the detection of traces to night watch shifts. For the teams, the result of 62 hatchlings from 77 eggs represents a collective reward to the sustained effort of volunteers and technicians.
Institutions and environmental entities emphasize that each hatching provides useful data: emergence rates, exit times and substrate conditions, information that strengthens the regional conservation protocols and helps prioritize resources for upcoming nesting events.
What happens to the offspring after birth?
Most of the baby turtles are released immediately to continue their journey. natural imprint towards the sea, a decisive phase for its future direction. At the same time, a small number of newborns enter the controlled breeding programs during the first year, with veterinary monitoring and regulated feeding to improve their survival.
Once this stage is completed, the specimens are returned to the ocean larger and with a better chance of survival. This strategy, which experts apply with caution and scientific criteria, is part of a broader vision of conservation. loggerhead turtle in the Mediterranean.
In Dénia, the transfer of knowledge between campaigns has been constant, and there are already records, between different seasons, hundreds of newborns that have reached the water thanks to similar devices. Each season strengthens the local capacity to respond to new spawning events.
Looking at the fourth nest and recommendations to citizens
With the third nest now hatched, attention turns to the fourth nest still pending, for which the same protection and communication protocols have been established. The plan includes a time window for opening subject to environmental conditions.
Authorities remind of the importance of respecting the nesting perimetersDo not encroach on the dune cordons, and avoid bright lights or noise in designated areas, especially at dusk and at night. Any signs or sightings should be reported to official channels to activate the response chain.
It is also important to keep the beach clean of waste, pick up cigarette butts and not leave objects or furniture on the sand, practices that reduce obstacles for the young and promote the habitat integrityThey are simple gestures that, when combined, have a direct impact on survival.
The experience of Les Albaranes demonstrates that coordination between science, administrations and residents can generate measurable short-term resultsWith the last nest on the horizon, the device remains vigilant to repeat the pattern of success without letting its guard down.
The outcome of this outbreak leaves a clear picture: 62 hatchlings of 77 eggsAn orderly departure at dusk, support from volunteers and technicians, and a community committed to protecting the loggerhead sea turtle in Dénia. With one nest yet to be hatched, the season approaches its final stretch with the same blend of rigor and caution that has marked every step.
